We knew Benfica would come out strong, but we conceded goals …

João Tomé, in statements made during the flash interview with SportTV, after the defeat against Benfica (2-0), in the 18th round of the League:

Analysis of the defeat against Rio Ave

We knew they were going to come out aggressively, we tried to defend more in the first half, but I think the goals we conceded were a bit unfortunate. We managed to hold on, in the second half we were more evenly matched and we couldn’t reduce the deficit due to an offside call at the very last minute. A game without many opportunities for either side and Benfica wins thanks to the two goals they scored.

Benfica’s dynamics and Rio Ave’s second half of the season in the League.

Schjelderup? We didn’t know what starting eleven Benfica would field, because they usually rotate a lot on the left wing. Their dynamics are very good, they have very high-quality players. We believe we’ll have an even better second half of the season than the first; we have a lot to show. Despite having completed my entire youth development at Benfica, it’s a game like any other, against a big team, and I have to approach it like I approach all the others.